“Pag sumuko ka, talo ka.”
This is the lesson that former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would like to impart to individuals who want to try their luck in building their own business amid the pandemic.
Macx and Edwin Pantaleon put up a computer shop business in Quezon City after resigning from their work in Dubai in January 2020.
They invested around P400,000 on their business in a bid to sustain their needs after going back to the Philippines in December 2019. But when the COVID-19 pandemic happened, they had no choice but to close their shop.
“‘Yun nga lang unfortunately nag pandemic so from January to February lang siya open. And then pagdating ng March 15 or 17 nagclose na agad ‘yung computer shop namin. So after non, nagtry akong umisip ng ibang pagkakakitaan, inopen ko na try ko muna magbenta ng damit ko,” Macx recalled.
In March 2020, the couple tried their luck in selling ukay-ukay.
“First bale is P9,000. Ang bumalik sa’kin is P2,000 lang. As in sobrang lugi talaga. Tapos merong time no’n sabi namin, ‘Ayoko na, tama na, tigilan na natin ‘to,’” they said.
Although they were frustrated with the result of their last business venture, Macx and Edwin were still determined to try other business.
“Bahala na basta isugal na lang natin kasi nga sabi nila ukay is risky so bahala na kung anong mangyari. Tapos Merong time noon sabi namin, “Ayoko na, tama na, tigilan na natin ‘to.” Kasi nagsisimula palang ‘yung pandemic siyempre nagsstart ‘yung business, ganoon naman talaga pag nagsstart,” Macx said.
They started a home-based food business to recover from their losses in the same year.
“Nagtry ako non lahat na ata ng sidelines ginawa ko. Dun kami kumita, so pinaikot ulit namin ‘yung pera. Bumili ulit ako ng isa pang bale pero mas mura na ng konti,” she added.
Edwin said that they invested their time and effort in their ukay-ukay business.
“Todo todo effort na ‘yon, doon na nagstart ‘yung growth,” he said.
In April 2020, the couple managed to grow their business, accommodating around 7,000 orders nationwide and earning P300,000-P450,000 per month.
With their earnings from their business, Macx and Edwin Pantaleon bought a second-hand car and a motorcycle. After a year, they were also able to build a 120 sq-meter house in Quezon City.
Macx shared that their success was not done overnight, saying that they also experienced setbacks and hardships along the way.
“Kailangan nagsstart ka talaga from the bottom,” she said.
Looking back, Edwin realized it would not be possible if his wife had given up after their first loss.
“Buti matigas ang ulo niya. Nag-try ulit. Sugal ulit,” he shared.
Macx shared an important lesson they realized on their bumpy yet fulfilling journey: “Tatagan niyo ang loob niyo. Hindi nakukuha ang isang business sa one snap. Kailangan paulit-ulit mo siyang gawin. Kasi lahat naman ng naging businessman, kahit ano mang lahi niyan, ilang beses din naman nadadapa ‘yan. Ilang beses silang hindi kumikita kaso ‘yun nga kung susuko ka, ikaw ‘yung talo.”
